# ARRAY in AutoCAD

> How AutoCAD's ARRAY (AR) works, prompt by prompt: rectangular, polar and path arrays, edited live before they are made. Try it free in your browser.

ARRAY copies a selection in a pattern: in columns and rows, round a centre, or along a path. It asks for the objects, then for the type of array, Enter taking a rectangular one, and hands the selection to [`ARRAYRECT`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arrayrect.md), [`ARRAYPOLAR`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arraypolar.md) or [`ARRAYPATH`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arraypath.md), which go on without asking for the objects again. Each shows the array at once and edits it live, through its options and its grips, until Enter makes it: one array object, or loose copies if you said it should not be associative. The whole run is one undo step, and Enter at the command prompt repeats ARRAY.

- **Command:** `ARRAY`
- **Aliases:** `AR`
- **Panel:** [Modify](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands.md#modify)
- **Try it:** [Open the editor](/draw), type `AR` and press Enter.

## At the command line

The engine draws it and writes its history as you would type it: the prompts in AutoCAD 2027's order, with the same option letters.

A square and its circle arrayed with the defaults: Enter for a rectangular array, 4 columns and 3 rows.

```text
Command: ARRAY
Select objects: 1 found
Select objects: 1 found, 2 total
Select objects:
Enter array type [Rectangular/PAth/POlar] <Rectangular>:
Type = Rectangular  Associative = Yes
Select grip to edit array or [ASsociative/COUnt/Spacing/COLumns/Rows/Levels/eXit]<eXit>: X
```

## Options

### `Rectangular` (`R`)

Columns and rows, and levels stacked along Z if you want them: [`ARRAYRECT`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arrayrect.md). It starts with 4 columns and 3 rows, one and a half times the selection's size apart.

### `PAth` (`PA`)

Along a line, an arc, a circle or a polyline: [`ARRAYPATH`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arraypath.md). It asks for the path curve, then lays the items along it, each turned as the path turns.

### `POlar` (`PO`)

Round a centre point: [`ARRAYPOLAR`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arraypolar.md). It asks for the centre and starts with 6 items over a full turn.

## What it does not do yet

The type offered is always Rectangular: ARRAYTYPE, the variable that sets AutoCAD's default, is not read.

[What it does and still lacks, in detail (in English)](https://github.com/ovelilla/mellowcad/blob/main/docs/coverage/modify.md#array--ar--es-matriz--ma--pt-br-matriz--ma)

## Questions

### What is the shortcut for ARRAY in AutoCAD?

`AR`, then Enter or Space. The full name works too, and `_ARRAY` in any language of AutoCAD. [`ARRAYRECT`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arrayrect.md), [`ARRAYPOLAR`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arraypolar.md) and [`ARRAYPATH`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arraypath.md) have no alias, and typed in full they skip the question of the type.

### How do I make a circular array?

Choose `POlar`, or run [`ARRAYPOLAR`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arraypolar.md), and pick the centre point: the selection is copied round it, 6 items at first. Change the count with `Items`, and set the angle they fill with `Fill`.

### How do I explode an array?

Select it and run `EXPLODE`: the array becomes its items' objects, each object on its own layer. To get loose copies from the start, answer `No` to `ASsociative` before you press Enter.

### How do I change an array after it is made?

Select it. Its grips change it: the square at the base point moves it, the arrows set the counts and the spacing, and a number typed while a count arrow is hot is the count. The Properties palette lists its columns, rows and spacing, or its items and angles, to retype. ARRAYEDIT is not there yet.

## Related commands

- [ARRAYRECT in AutoCAD](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arrayrect.md)
- [ARRAYPOLAR in AutoCAD](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arraypolar.md)
- [ARRAYPATH in AutoCAD](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/arraypath.md)
- [COPY in AutoCAD](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/copy.md)
- [EXPLODE](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands.md#explode): Explode